Install a printer

When you connect a printer to your PC or add a new printer to your home network, you can usually start printing right away. Windows supports most printers, and you probably won't have to go out of your way to install special printer software. If you're using Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1, additional printer support and drivers are available through Windows Update.

To install a printer

In most cases, all you have to do to set up a printer is to connect it to your PC. Simply plug the USB cable from your printer into an available USB port on your PC, and turn the printer on.

Notes

If you have a new wireless printer that hasn’t been added to your home network, read the instructions that came with the printer to learn how to add it.

If someone else in your home already has a printer installed and has shared it, you can join a HomeGroup and use that printer. To learn more, see HomeGroup from start to finish.

Check the printer manufacturer’s website to learn more and to get up-to-date software for your printer.

To see if a printer is installed

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.(If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

Tap or click PC and devices, and then tap or click Devices.

If your printer is installed, it should appear under Printers.

If your printer isn’t listed, tap or click Add a device, and then select your printer to install it.

Network printers

In the workplace, many printers are network printers. These connect directly to a network as stand-alone devices. Inexpensive network printers are also made for the home. To learn more, see Install a printer on a home network.

If you're trying to add a network printer at the office, you'll usually need the name of the printer. If you can't find it, contact your network administrator.

Open Devices and Printers by clicking the Start button , and then, on the Start menu, clicking Devices and Printers.

Click Add a printer.

In the Add Printer wizard, click Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer.

In the list of available printers, select the one you want to use, and then click Next. (If your computer is connected to a network, only printers listed in Active Directory for your domain are displayed in the list.)

If prompted, install the printer driver on your computer by clicking Install driver. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Complete the additional steps in the wizard, and then click Finish.

Tips

Available printers can include all printers on a network, such as Bluetooth and wireless printers or printers that are plugged into another computer and shared on the network. You might need permission to install some printers.

You can confirm the printer is working by printing a test page. For more information, see Print a test page.

Removing a printer

Open Devices and Printers by clicking the Start button , and then, on the Start menu, clicking Devices and Printers.

Right-click the printer that you want to remove, click Remove device, and then click Yes.

If you can't delete the printer, right-click it again, click Run as administrator, click Remove device, and then click Yes. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Notes

If you have a multi-function or all-in-one printer, you can often remove the printer from Devices and Printers without affecting other device functions. So, for example, you might continue to see a scanner or fax icon for the device.

You can't uninstall a printer if you have files in your print queue. Either cancel printing, or wait until Windows has finished printing them. Once the queue is clear, Windows will remove the printer.